1. < Breast Cancer

Reconstruction after radiation Implants vs fat grafting?

Posted by emily @emiliyb, Oct 7 5:32pm

I'm trying to decide on what to do for reconstruction. I am going to go through proton therapy after my Bi lateral mastectomy and I'm trying to decide if I want to do implants or fat grafting. If anyone has experience of either one after radiation it would help me with my decision.

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seathink | @seathink | Oct 8 10:38am

I had a DIEP Flap after radiation (one breast) instead of an implant - some of my motivation was to not have any trouble after with leaking or replacing in the next 30/40/50 years. Quality of life was brought up.

I had a tissue expander too which would have stayed and that would have knocked out getting my yearly MRI scan.

The surgery was really hard and even after a year I was questioning my decision, but now 3 years out I am very happy.

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1 reply
jillianb | @jillianb | Oct 8 12:03pm

I also had diep flap bilaterally.

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emily | @emiliyb | Oct 9 7:09pm
In reply to @seathink "I had a DIEP Flap after radiation (one breast) instead of an implant - some of..." + (show)
@seathink

I had a DIEP Flap after radiation (one breast) instead of an implant - some of my motivation was to not have any trouble after with leaking or replacing in the next 30/40/50 years. Quality of life was brought up.

I had a tissue expander too which would have stayed and that would have knocked out getting my yearly MRI scan.

The surgery was really hard and even after a year I was questioning my decision, but now 3 years out I am very happy.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the response. I thought about the flap but it sounds too scary and even more long recovery after. I am thinking about fat grafting though. Thanks again.

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2 replies
seathink | @seathink | Oct 9 7:41pm

Yeah it was intense. Hope you get some good replies about the fat graft.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 10 8:49am
In reply to @emiliyb "Thanks for the response. I thought about the flap but it sounds too scary and even..." + (show)
@emiliyb

Thanks for the response. I thought about the flap but it sounds too scary and even more long recovery after. I am thinking about fat grafting though. Thanks again.

Jump to this post

There is another older thread about this that might have some more information of the kind you are looking for.
Here is a link
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/explanting-looking-for-any-fat-grafting-experience/?pg=1#comment-992914

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mari | @mari | Oct 11 2:25pm
In reply to @emiliyb "Thanks for the response. I thought about the flap but it sounds too scary and even..." + (show)
@emiliyb

Thanks for the response. I thought about the flap but it sounds too scary and even more long recovery after. I am thinking about fat grafting though. Thanks again.

Jump to this post

What is difference?
I had fat taken from belly. Put into mastectomy breast. Look and feel better than years ago.

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